tell all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tell all" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a complete disclosure of information or secrets, often in a personal or confessional context. An example is: "In her memoir, she decided to tell all about her experiences in the industry." Alternative expressions include "spill the beans" and "come clean."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Tell all.

The Guardian - Tech

Will tell all later.

The New Yorker

The numbers tell all sorts of stories.

The New York Times

Who does he tell all this to?

The Guardian

"Now, whether they tell all the parents, I don't know".

The New Yorker

So how do we tell all of these artists apart?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Step 4-Tell all your friends.

Huffington Post

No tell-all book was planned.

The Economist

Another aging rocker, another tell-all memoir.

The New York Times

Dan was writing a tell-all (again).

The New York Times - Arts

Without a tell-all, what's left?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Distinguish between the verb phrase "tell all" and the compound adjective "tell-all". Use the hyphenated version when modifying a noun, such as a "tell-all book" or "tell-all memoir".

Common error

Do not add adverbs like "completely" or "fully" to "tell all". The phrase already implies a total disclosure, so "tell it all completely" is redundant and weakens the impact of the idiom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell all" functions primarily as a transitive or intransitive verb phrase. In many Ludwig examples, it acts as a complete predicate, especially in journalistic headlines or imperatives. It emphasizes the totality of the information being shared, effectively replacing the need for a specific direct object by using "all" as a nominal substitute.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tell all" is a robust and effective English idiom used to describe the act of revealing everything, particularly information that was previously kept secret. According to Ludwig AI data, it is most frequently found in News & Media sources, often associated with memoirs, interviews or investigative reports. A crucial takeaway is the grammatical distinction: use "tell all" as a verb phrase for the action of disclosing and "tell-all" with a hyphen as an adjective to describe the medium of disclosure, such as a book or article. While widely accepted in professional journalism, writers should be mindful of its slightly dramatic connotation and may opt for more formal alternatives like "disclose everything" in strictly technical or legal environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal all

Carries a slightly more formal tone and is often used in sensational or investigative contexts.

disclose everything

Moves away from idiomatic usage toward a more clinical or legalistic tone.

spill the beans

Adds a more informal and colloquial flavor, usually implying the disclosure of a specific secret.

come clean

Implies a sense of moral obligation or the confession of a previous wrongdoing.

lay it all out

Suggests a structured and comprehensive explanation rather than just a reveal.

bare all

Often used to suggest emotional vulnerability or total exposure of personal details.

give the full story

Focuses on the narrative completeness of the information being shared.

divulge details

A more precise and formal way to describe sharing specific information.

let it all out

Shifts the focus toward the emotional release of sharing suppressed information.

confess everything

Specifically denotes an admission of guilt or a fault.

FAQs

How to use "tell all" in a sentence?

You can use it as a verb phrase to indicate total disclosure, for example: "After years of silence, the former assistant decided to "tell all" to the press."

What is the difference between "tell all" and "reveal all"?

While both mean to disclose everything, "reveal all" is often perceived as more formal, whereas "tell all" is frequently used in conversational English and tabloid journalism.

Is "tell all" one word or two?

It is two words when used as a verb. However, it is hyphenated as "tell-all" when it functions as an adjective modifying a noun.

Can I say "tell all" in a business report?

It is generally better to use more professional terms like "disclose fully" or "provide complete details" in formal business writing, as "tell all" has a slightly sensationalist connotation.